332 THE ALPINE FLORA 



S. bryoides (PL XL] I). A small, tufted plant with 

 close, short branches, forming a compact sward; leaves 

 linear, very close-set, with short fringes, of a shining 

 green; flowers large, solitary, yellowish-white with 

 golden yellow centre. Barren rocks in the high Alps 

 from 2000-3 5oo m. 



S. aspera* (PL XL! II). Differs from the preceding in 

 the much looser character of its tufts, which are formed of 

 elongated branches ; leaves stiff, linear-lanceolate, fringed 

 with long, stiff, sparse and spreading bristles ; flowers 

 smaller, grouped by 2-5 in loose panicled cymes. Flowers 

 in summer on rock slopes of granitic Alps. 



S. aizoides* (PI. XL! 11). The small tufted, grassy 

 plant that lines the banks of springs and streams through- 

 out the whole alpine chain. It is composed of very 

 numerous branches, 4-8 in., covered with narrow leaves, 

 of clear green, ciliate on the side, and produces panicles 

 of many orange-yellow flowers in succession from July 

 to October. In the variety atrorubens the flowers are of 

 a deep brick-red colour. 



The last section represented in Swiss alpine flora is 

 Porphyrion, which alone approaches in value to the 

 Encrusted or in beauty to the Cushion. Indeed so far 

 as flowering goes, it has no rival. The plants included 

 are creepers, multiplied by division or seed, and the hint 

 to divide old plants already given should not be neglected. 



At the same time, although a top-dressing will not 

 save a plant when decay has once set in, it must not be 

 neglected while health remains ; for grit and leaf-mould 

 should be worked among the crowns in autumn. 



S. oppositifolia* (PL XL111). The favourite and 

 choicest of Swiss Saxifrages. Grows in cool spots in 

 the Alps and southern Jura, on glacier moraines, climb- 

 ing some 1400-2800 m. A dwarf, tufted plant; stems 



